I graduated from University College Worcester in 2001 with a 2:1 BA (Honours) in Early Childhood Studies, so I know exactly what these students are experiencing. I want to reassure Saffron and Heather, who both told of their fear and dread of Postgraduate Certificates in Education (PGCEs), that they must not worry about universities not considering seriously the degree as a basis for teaching.
Many universities have set up a PGCE course entitled Advanced Specialist in Early Years (ASEY), which often specifies that students have an Early Childhood Studies degree.
I am currently doing this at University College Chichester (although I could have done it at many universities such as Bath Spa and University College Worcester).
Like Saffron and Heather, I was terrified of the PGCE year. I even took a year out to prepare myself by working at a summer camp in the US and then travelled. But it's not like I expected. Instead, I am enjoying it. I would be lying if I said it isn't hard work, but it is not nearly as bad as I'd feared.
Having done a degree in Early Childhood Studies we are greatly advantaged to those who have done academic subjects at degree level. So don't be scared. Your degrees are valued and sought after and PGCEs aren't as scary as rumour says they are (at least in my experience).
Melissa Blewitt
West Worthing, West Sussex
